Wednesday resident assignments will be provided by Google calendar. All residents will be assigned journal articles for Journal Club. First year residents will be responsible for Wolverton chapters (approximately 1 chapter per month). Upper year residents will be responsible for basic science, book review and kodachrome sessions. For dermatopathology sessions, the residents read the assigned material, examine the slides, make diagnoses, and come prepared to discuss the differential diagnosis.

Blocks

We have recently implemented a clinical block system for the first time during the 2010-2011 academic year. This system is a resident-initiated program change, and is designed to give all residents a more equal and balanced experience. Additional benefits include greater continuity of care, enhanced planning potential, and reduced time traveling between patient care locations. Further, protected academic time is better delineated, and should contribute to consistent didactic activities.

The rotational blocks include:

General dermatologyThere are four general dermatology blocks, each with specific sets of clinics associated with them. Some of the clinics are designated as “attending” clinics, with the respective attending, others are “continuity clinics,” where the resident is the primary diagnostician and manager with support from an attending. Under both scenarios, residents welcome the opportunity to take an active and engaged role with their patients.

DermatopathologyResidents are exposed to dermatopathology throughout the residency. The dermatopathology rotation occurs during Year 2 for categorical residents and Year 4 for combined medicine-dermatology residents. All residents in their final year of training will have the opportunity to work with Dr. Sperling for one month.

Surgery / Procedural DermatologyProcedural dermatology is a one month block that encompasses dermatologic surgery, Mohsmicrographic surgery, cutaneous laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology. Objectives are to: develop surgical skills and competency in biopsies, local excisions, and cosmetic procedures; learn the management of the surgical patients from pre-op to post-op; learn how to prevent and manage surgical complications; and to familiarize oneself with surgical instruments and set-up.

Consults

During consult months, residents will have limited clinic schedule to allow for in-patient consults and educational activities. On the GUH block, residents will also have the opportunity to participate in a combined rheumatology-dermatology clinic. Objectives are to: develop fund of knowledge of more complex dermatologic conditions; educate and collaborate with primary medical and surgical teams in patient care; develop leaderships skills within the residency program; and educate rotating medical students and residents.

Cutaneous OncologyPhotocontactECP/InpatientPediatric Dermatology

NIH/ElectiveDuring the final year of residency, there are a number of extramural electives which can be arranged. These can be utilized to explore potential fellowship ideas, or to gain more experience in a specific area of interest, including international dermatology. Another option is to spend the month on the intramural campus of the NIH. Objectives there are to: experience and practice dermatology in a quarternary care center; participate in a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating genodermatoses and complex medical cases; gain further understanding in designing and executing clinical trials; and to improve analytical skills in evaluating medical literature and study methodology.